To format a fantasy novel for KDP, use a 5.5”×8.5” trim on cream paper, 11pt serif font, and export as PDF with all fonts embedded. Fantasy manuscripts are among the longest in fiction — 100,000–150,000 words is standard, with epic fantasy regularly exceeding 200,000 words. At 5.5×8.5, a 120K-word fantasy novel runs ~420 pages and costs ~$6.52 to print on KDP. The trim size and margin choices matter more for fantasy than most genres because page count directly drives your printing cost and pricing flexibility.

Trim size for fantasy

SubgenreRecommended TrimWhy
Epic fantasy (120K+ words)5.5” × 8.5”Keeps page count manageable
Urban fantasy (80K–100K)5.25” × 8” or 5.5” × 8.5”Either works
YA fantasy (70K–90K)5.25” × 8”Slightly compact
Romantasy (90K–120K)5.5” × 8.5”Standard trade paperback
Grimdark (100K–130K)5.5” × 8.5”Matches the heft readers expect
Cozy fantasy (70K–90K)5” × 8”Intimate, approachable

Never use 5×8 for epic fantasy — a 150K-word book at 5×8 would hit ~700 pages and cost over $10 to print, destroying your margins. The KDP Book Calculator shows the exact cost difference.

KDP margins for fantasy

Fantasy novels are long. That pushes you into higher margin tiers:

Page CountInside MarginOutside Margin
150–3000.625”0.25”
301–5000.75”0.25”
501–7000.875”0.25”
701+1.0”0.25”

Most fantasy falls in the 301–500 range. If your book crosses 500 pages, inside margins jump to 0.875” — which can push your page count even higher (a feedback loop). Plan for this.

Maps and illustrations

Fantasy readers expect maps. On KDP:

  • Place the map in front matter — after the title page, before the table of contents
  • Full-page spread — the map should fill the page (within margins)
  • Minimum 300 DPI at print size — a 5.5×8.5 map needs at least 1650×2550 pixels
  • Grayscale or black and white — color maps cost $0.07/page (vs $0.012 for B&W). One color map page adds $0.07 to every copy’s print cost. Most fantasy authors use B&W maps for paperback and save color for special editions.
  • No bleed needed unless your map goes to the edge of the page (most don’t — keep it within margins)

Chapter ornaments

Fantasy often uses decorative elements at chapter openings:

  • Drop caps — ornamental first letter, 3–4 lines tall
  • Chapter header ornaments — small decorative flourish above or below the chapter title
  • Section dividers — daggers, swords, stars, or custom symbols

Keep ornaments consistent throughout. If Chapter 1 has a drop cap, every chapter needs one. Embed all ornament fonts or convert decorative elements to images.

Fantasy formatting with drop caps and ornaments
Cambric includes drop cap styles, ornamental scene breaks, and handles the long-manuscript margin math automatically. Export a KDP-ready PDF from your 150K-word epic.
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Series formatting

Fantasy is a series genre. For KDP paperbacks:

  • Series name on cover and title page — “The Ember Throne, Book Two”
  • Consistent trim and design across all volumes
  • Previously / Story So Far page (optional) — a one-page recap for returning readers
  • Pronunciation guide (for invented names/places) — back matter, before About the Author
  • Glossary — if your world has invented terms, add a glossary in back matter
  • Preview chapter — first chapter of the next book, after the epilogue

KDP PDF export

  • Page size: 5.5” × 8.5” (match trim exactly)
  • Fonts: all embedded (including decorative/ornament fonts)
  • Color: black and white interior (unless full-color illustrations)
  • Paper: cream
  • Bleed: no (unless maps or art go edge-to-edge)
  • Page count: must be even

Pricing on KDP

Fantasy readers accept higher prices because the books are longer:

Word CountPages (5.5×8.5)Print CostPriceRoyalty
80,000~280~$4.72$15.99$3.48
100,000~350~$5.56$16.99$3.04
120,000~420~$6.40$17.99$2.60
150,000~520~$7.60$19.99$2.40
200,000~690~$9.64$22.99$1.72

Fantasy paperbacks price $15.99–$19.99 for standard-length books. Epic fantasy at 150K+ often prices $19.99–$22.99. Above 200K words, consider splitting into two volumes.